that does not matter at all per toronto fans
- todd1a

meh, there are tax and salary cap loopholes Toronto can use to offer a competitive package that eliminates the tax differences.

regardless, based on stamkos' quote in the blog, if TB hits his price, i suspect he signs.

As a Devil fan, losing Parise to free agency and the team never really recovered. If he is a goner, he should tell them prior to deadline so they can get assets. If he hasnt already signed, he won't. Move him. No one is bigger than the franchise and selling him to highest bidder is what is right for Tampa.

My prediction - 10 x 10.
- TommyHawk

There's an 8 yr max rule.

As a Devil fan, losing Parise to free agency and the team never really recovered. If he is a goner, he should tell them prior to deadline so they can get assets. If he hasnt already signed, he won't. Move him. No one is bigger than the franchise and selling him to highest bidder is what is right for Tampa.
- Leniwm1

Leaf fans felt the same when Sundin did that, sucks having them walk away leaving the team with nothing.

Leaf fans felt the same when Sundin did that, sucks having them walk away leaving the team with nothing.
- justmike

I miss Sundin... They don't make em like that anymore.

There's an 8 yr max rule.
- shack67

Well then ... he gets 8-years, and matches the contract Kopitar got.

good maybe we can extend johnson cheaper now
- todd1a

Yeah because Peca couldn't do the same thing Johnson does for a lot less so we for sure need Johnson

Well then ... he gets 8-years, and matches the contract Kopitar got.
- TommyHawk

I agree. I think he stays. Fun to dream though.

Well then ... he gets 8-years, and matches the contract Kopitar got.
- TommyHawk

florida taxes vs la taxes that 8.5 per year already beat kopitars net take home pay taxes in LA are insane.

florida taxes vs la taxes that 8.5 per year already beat kopitars net take home pay taxes in LA are insane.
- todd1a

They say the rich don't pay taxes...although I really wouldn't know.

I think Yzerman should do whatever it takes to get Stamkos, Palat, Kucherov, and Hedman signed to long term contracts. If we need to free up more cap after letting go off Filpulla, Coburn, Carle, etc., I say we trade Johnson. Yeah, Johnson is a great player, but we have people that can replace him like Vladdy or Point in the future. Kucherov is a dynamic player and Palat's two way game is incredible, you keep those two guys.

I think Yzerman should do whatever it takes to get Stamkos, Palat, Kucherov, and Hedman signed to long term contracts. If we need to free up more cap after letting go off Filpulla, Coburn, Carle, etc., I say we trade Johnson. Yeah, Johnson is a great player, but we have people that can replace him like Vladdy or Point in the future. Kucherov is a dynamic player and Palat's two way game is incredible, you keep those two guys.
- jvar17

1. sign victor hedman
2. extend kucherov
3. sign stamkos
4. extend palat

1. sign victor hedman
2. extend kucherov
3. sign stamkos
4. extend palat
- todd1a

HEDMAN SHOULD BE THE REAL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. He is a beast and plays defense like Lidstrom but more aggressive. All Stamkos has is a shot and taste for money that isn't from Tampa's wallet.

HEDMAN SHOULD BE THE REAL CAPTAIN OF THE TEAM. He is a beast and plays defense like Lidstrom but more aggressive. All Stamkos has is a shot and taste for money that isn't from Tampa's wallet.
- Leniwm1

watch i'd bet like two weeks after july 1st hedman will be extended by tampa bay

watch i'd bet like two weeks after july 1st hedman will be extended by tampa bay
- todd1a

I am not a Stamkos hater, I like the guy. So i hope I dont come off that way, but Tampa would be better off, if they had to pick, paying Hedman top dollar over Stamkos.

maybe ranger danger know for sure what he was offered ?
- todd1a

I don't but I do know that Cally and Sather had a verbal agreement on an extension and then less than an hour later, Sather traded him after Yzerman lowered the asking price for MSL.

They say the rich don't pay taxes...although I really wouldn't know.
- shack67

Bullpoops ass they don't. By the time the governments done with them they have an ass like a fodgers can.

I think something that's being overlooked here by people saying trade him or you've failed is that fact that he has a NYC and wants to win in tampa. Even if they can't reah a deal Stamkos desire to win in Tampa will keep him there for one last run. He has final say if hes traded or not.

I think something that's being overlooked here by people saying trade him or you've failed is that fact that he has a NYC and wants to win in tampa. Even if they can't reah a deal Stamkos desire to win in Tampa will keep him there for one last run. He has final say if hes traded or not.
- jbs32

Did you hear all the Leafs fans groan and say "Sundin" under their collective breath?

Did you hear all the Leafs fans groan and say "Sundin" under their collective breath?
- mlindsay

Nope all I hear is them laughing at habs fans

1. sign victor hedman
2. extend kucherov
3. sign stamkos
4. extend palat
- todd1a

I agree with this but I think for the Lightning it is a matter of how much. Do we pay Hedman over $8m per year (Subban) or $7m (Doughty)? I don't want to keep Hedman for that kind of coin, he plays soft. He is huge and can skate but he hardly puts his body on anyone plus he has had multiple concussions in his NHL career so far. Kucherov I think is fantastic, I think the Johnson contract is going to hurt the Kucherov negotiations, he sees Johnson getting $3m per year and will want at least double that.

I agree with this but I think for the Lightning it is a matter of how much. Do we pay Hedman over $8m per year (Subban) or $7m (Doughty)? I don't want to keep Hedman for that kind of coin, he plays soft. He is huge and can skate but he hardly puts his body on anyone plus he has had multiple concussions in his NHL career so far. Kucherov I think is fantastic, I think the Johnson contract is going to hurt the Kucherov negotiations, he sees Johnson getting $3m per year and will want at least double that.
- Kucherovski

You pay Hedman whatever it takes.

You pay Hedman whatever it takes.
- Feds91Stammer

I disagree. Small market team that needs to spread money out to compete year in and year out which is what Vinik wants. Hedman is not worth $9m per year especially when you have DeAngelo and Koekkoek in the system. Is Hedman worth more than Doughty at $7m per year?

I disagree. Small market team that needs to spread money out to compete year in and year out which is what Vinik wants. Hedman is not worth $9m per year especially when you have DeAngelo and Koekkoek in the system. Is Hedman worth more than Doughty at $7m per year?
- Kucherovski

Needs to spread money out to compete? All teams are working under the same cap. Do you even logic bro?

Needs to spread money out to compete? All teams are working under the same cap. Do you even logic bro?
- Feds91Stammer

Yes, do we have two forwards like Toews and Kane? Do we have a Duncan Keith at $5.5m per year? No we have a Matt Carle. Do we have a Seabrook at just under $7m per year? We need to spread out the money to sign Stamkos, Kucherov, Palat, goalie. Look at Pittsburgh, lots of money spent on Malkin, Sid, Kessel and Letang and not a lot left for 3rd and 4th line plus 5th and 6th D man. You need depth and to get decent, NHL depth you need money. We can throw money at Hedman and Stamkos and Kucherov then try to piece together the rest of the team year in and year out or they can be smart and keep guys around at reasonable cap hits to keep what has been their strength, their depth.